Guide to Cooking Universal Extended Rom with FILES

[l6cum]

Hello,
I have read that some people have been having a bit of trouble with customising their extended rom on the Universal. So here is my attempt at creating a guide, as a way of saying THANKS to all who helped me in these forums to create my own customised ROM's on the blue angel and my current EXEC.

First thanks mainly to Buzz for the Ext Rom Unlocker and also to BeyondTheTech for the Disable Security Cab.
Also thanks to all other members who contributed their trials and files in the thread.
IMPORTANT - DO A BACKUP BEFORE DOING THIS AS A HARD RESET IS REQUIRED!!!!
Here Goes:
This is how i did it:
1. I created a folder on the desktop called Exec, and inside i created 2 folders called Orig Rom and Cooked Rom
2. I then downloaded the following 3 files and placed them into the Exec folder.

[l6cum]

3. i copied the unlock policies and the ext rom unlocker onto sd card and copied them to the phone.
4. i ran the unlock policies cab first then the ext rom unlocker cab
5. under programs i clicked on ext rom unlocker to execute the file
6. it then said succesful and reboot to finsh
7. once rebooted install total commander from below.

[l6cum]

8. i then ran total commander and typed in /extended_rom (note underscore) and it displayed the contents of the exteneded rom that originally came with the phone.
9. selected it all and copied the contents to SD card.
10. if you connect your phone directly to pc then you can copy the contents directly to the 'orig rom' folder you created earlier, or use card reader to do same.
11. either way you have the contents of the ext rom on the pc. i then deleted the contents of the Extended_Rom on the phone.
12. the next steps are done on the pc.
13. copy the autorun.exe and the config.txt file from the 'orig rom' folder to the 'cooked rom' folder.
14. copy all the CAB files that you want to be installed upon hard reset into the cooked rom folder aswell.
15. copy the disable security.cab file into the 'cooked rom' folder aswell
16. you will need to rename the cab files that you want installing in the following format:

Default_Unsigned_xxxxxx.cab where xxxxxx is the name of the file

17. if the cab files have long names then just rename them!
18. if you wanted to keep some of the original cabs from your extended rom then copy these into the 'cooked' folder aswell but leave their naming system alone ie:

Signed_UNI_Remove_BatteryIcon.sa.CAB

19. once these have been named as above open the config.txt file
20. it needs to be prepared into the following format :

LOCK:Enabled
CAB: \Extended_ROM\Default_Signed_DisableSecurity.CAB
CAB: \Extended_ROM\Default_Unsigned_tcpmp.arm_ce3.cab
CAB: \Extended_ROM\Signed_SSD_BTUR_Patch_For_BT_Cannot_ Initial.sa.CAB
CAB: \Extended_ROM\Default_Unsigned_Porta-Pinball.CAB

RST: RESET

this is an extract from my config.txt file

21. i used the existing file and amended the entries, add/deleted some of the entries.
22. note the space between Cab: \ this is important.
23. also note that the first file that i wanted to install was the disablesecurity.cab file, without this the other 'personal' cabs will not install.
24. so once you have edited and saved your config.txt files making sure all spelling is correct (also an important thing otherwise the files dont install) and no warnings are issued either! you will have in your 'cooked rom' folder:
autorun.exe
config.txt
and several cab files

25. select all the files and then 'right click' on properties.
26. select the 'read-only' option and ok
27. i found that after the first install some of the cab files delete themselves! this prevents that from happening.
28. connect your phone to the pc
29. using active-sync Explore device and navigate to the Extended_Rom folder
30. copy all the contents of your 'cooked rom' folder into the Extended_Rom folder
31. once completed, disconnect the phone and perform a hard reset.
32. after you have aligned screen and done the start-up routine it will start installing your personallised cab files.!! :D

[l6cum]

33. You should now have an Exec, customised with your own extended rom and as a bonus a complete back-up on your pc.
34. if ever you upgrade the phone rom/radio etc, all the software you need and the perosnlaised rom is ready to go.

if i have missed a step plz post back and i will edit my posts and put in there.

I cannot stress how important it is that you make a backup first before doing this as you will lose everything on the phone.

Bye for now!!!

[krassen]

hi there this is a perfect guide well done m8

only one question as i have the jasjar and i-mate rom on it
i do not have the config.txt file
how do i tell the device to install my personal/third party cab files

thanx in advance

[hollytree]

Thanks for the guide, however when i use total commander, extended rom is shown with the same symbol as storage card and I cannot get the mail programme to save attachments to the real storage card as the universal thinks the extended rom is the storage card.
How can the properties of the extended rom be changed so it does not appear to be a storage card ?
Thanks
Steve

[majdi]

hi there this is a perfect guide well done m8

only one question as i have the jasjar and i-mate rom on it
i do not have the config.txt file
how do i tell the device to install my personal/third party cab files

thanx in advance

i have the same problem, any solution?

[flippy]

the solution to that can be found here:
http://www.buzzdev.net/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=59&func=view&catid=40&id=7869#7869

[taiseer999]

hi there this is a perfect guide well done m8

only one question as i have the jasjar and i-mate rom on it
i do not have the config.txt file
how do i tell the device to install my personal/third party cab files

thanx in advance

i have the same problem, any solution?

I just renamed the required cab file by adding "Default_" to it. That did it.

[hollytree]

Thanks
But I have been through the thread numerous time.
The mail programme thinks the extended rom is the storage card.
The thread has a fix to hide the extended rom so the mail programme now saves attachements onto the real storage card.
It just seems a shame to have gone to all the trouble to unlock and make visisble the extended rom, just to hide it again so the mail programme can save onto the real storage card.
Am I missing something. Simple guidance PLEASE.
Steve

[l6cum]

Thanks
But I have been through the thread numerous time.
The mail programme thinks the extended rom is the storage card.
The thread has a fix to hide the extended rom so the mail programme now saves attachements onto the real storage card.
It just seems a shame to have gone to all the trouble to unlock and make visisble the extended rom, just to hide it again so the mail programme can save onto the real storage card.
Am I missing something. Simple guidance PLEASE.
Steve

When the hard reset is done the whole point is for the Extended Rom to be hidden again. This ensures that at any point in the future if a hard-reset is required then the phone is setup agian as you want it.
At the moment the Extended_rom partitrion cannot be used as a storage space , and i believe Buzz is working on that.
So my guide illustrates deleting existing rom, and replacing with personalised rom and then hiding it agian.
Above this thread is a link to Buzz's small tutorial to alllow attachemnts to be saved back to storage card instead of the Extended Rom for those who want to leave it Un-Hid.
Regarding those without a config.txt file then renaming everything to Default_xxxxx.cab does the trick.

thanks

[urksaddy]

This is a GREAT thread. Hats off to you.

Personally, I think I'm going to add the T-Mobile USA Internet Settings cab to "cooked" stuff (I'm in the US).

Does anyone have a cab that will set up the gmail pop settings (w/ generic un/pass of course)? Lazy, yes, but I'm just trying to make any refresh that I would ever need to do that much simpler :) :) :)

[krassen]

i have another question as we have a lot of good registry tweaks....
is it really that hard to create cab files for those registry settings and just throw those in the extRom
regards
krassen

[majdi]

the solution to that can be found here:
http://www.buzzdev.net/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=59&func=view&catid=40&id=7869#7869

my problem is that in wm5.0 there is no config.txt file to tell the os what to install from the ext rom, i unlocked the ext rom and moved all contents to pc, i also deleted all the existing files from it, and i have all my cabs ready, but the problem is how to tell the installer to take these cabs instead of the origionals?
does it take it automatically, or should i do something to make it install my personalised ext rom?

[l6cum]

the solution to that can be found here:
http://www.buzzdev.net/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=59&func=view&catid=40&id=7869#7869

my problem is that in wm5.0 there is no config.txt file to tell the os what to install from the ext rom, i unlocked the ext rom and moved all contents to pc, i also deleted all the existing files from it, and i have all my cabs ready, but the problem is how to tell the installer to take these cabs instead of the origionals?
does it take it automatically, or should i do something to make it install my personalised ext rom?
If you dont have a config.txt file then you need to rename your cab files in the following format:

Default_xxxxxx.cab where xxxxx is the name of your file. this has been found to work in your phone.

thanks

[majdi]

many thanx to u.
this worked just fine.

cheers

[hollytree]

Does anyone know where I can download the DisableSecurity.CAB as the links no longer work.
Thanks
Steve

[foxnolds]

Does anyone know where I can download the DisableSecurity.CAB as the links no longer work.
Did you try the first post in this thread?

You have to register and be logged in to see the files...

[joebongo]

links worked for me

[zpdy]

the solution to that can be found here:
http://www.buzzdev.net/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=59&func=view&catid=40&id=7869#7869

my problem is that in wm5.0 there is no config.txt file to tell the os what to install from the ext rom, i unlocked the ext rom and moved all contents to pc, i also deleted all the existing files from it, and i have all my cabs ready, but the problem is how to tell the installer to take these cabs instead of the origionals?
does it take it automatically, or should i do something to make it install my personalised ext rom?
If you dont have a config.txt file then you need to rename your cab files in the following format:

Default_xxxxxx.cab where xxxxx is the name of your file. this has been found to work in your phone.

thanks

It's shuld be Default_xxxxxx.cab or Default_Unsigned_xxxxxx.cab / Default_Signed_xxxxxx.cab, now ?

[foxnolds]

my problem is that in wm5.0 there is no config.txt file to tell the os what to install from the ext rom, i unlocked the ext rom and moved all contents to pc, i also deleted all the existing files from it, and i have all my cabs ready, but the problem is how to tell the installer to take these cabs instead of the origionals?
does it take it automatically, or should i do something to make it install my personalised ext rom?

Another solution is to use the AutoRun.exe (106K in size) from an Exec ROM so you can use the config.txt file on a Jasjar. P.S. the Jasjar AutoRun.exe is only 17K in size.

[zpdy]

dudez i have problem :( i am using Jasjar

I added new .cabs (changed filename to Default_Unsigned_????.CAB) i see my files in progress bar but after it's finish nothing installed from my cabs, I have been tried work with "autorun.exe" of EXEC and fill all the files in "config.txt" but same problem...

Someone can help me how i can fix it ?

[foxnolds]

dudez i have problem :( i am using Jasjar

I added new .cabs (changed filename to Default_Unsigned_????.CAB) i see my files in progress bar but after it's finish nothing installed from my cabs, I have been tried work with "autorun.exe" of EXEC and fill all the files in "config.txt" but same problem...

Someone can help me how i can fix it ?

You must load the Default_Signed_DisableSecurity.CAB before using any unsigned .CAB files. The reason for naming unsigned .CAB files with the Default_Unsigned_xxxx.CAB prefix is to alphabetically ensure the Unsigned .CAB files are run AFTER the Default_Signed_xxxx.CAB files.

Rather than use Alphabetical name guidance, it may be easier to use the O2 Exec AutoRun.exe and a config.txt file that correctly specifies the load order. But you have more scope for errors with typos in the config.txt!

[this_mike]

This is just so cool... Much respect to the OP. m'sieur l6cum for spelling it out so neatly. Hard resets are now fun!

The "but" (you knew there was going to be a but, right?) is that the default installation path for all cabs seems to be the device. Now, this is all fine and reasonable, but does anyone know if it's possible to specify the storage card instead? I'm thinking tomtom, PI etc - things that take real space...

It *feels* like it should be possible to add a /location: type argument to the cab install line, but that could just be the booze talking. Anyone? (In case anyone is tempted to suggest googling, I ought to point out that I'm a drunk UI designer and frankly unlikely to understand detailed technical explanations at this time :D)

Happy New Year (for those who make use of the predominantly secular Gregorian calendar - a system of measurement derived from the Julian calendar which is based on a cycle of 400 years comprising 146,097 days with a corresponding average length of 365.24 days) and fraternal greetings to one and all!

[l6cum]

dudez i have problem :( i am using Jasjar

I added new .cabs (changed filename to Default_Unsigned_????.CAB) i see my files in progress bar but after it's finish nothing installed from my cabs, I have been tried work with "autorun.exe" of EXEC and fill all the files in "config.txt" but same problem...

Someone can help me how i can fix it ?

Check out point 23. from the original post and also foxnolds suggestion, SPELLING is very important!! (point 24)

[zpdy]

Thanx, It's work great, My problem i didnt install "DisableSecurity".

[Jorgee]

The "but" (you knew there was going to be a but, right?) is that the default installation path for all cabs seems to be the device. Now, this is all fine and reasonable, but does anyone know if it's possible to specify the storage card instead? I'm thinking tomtom, PI etc - things that take real space...


Hello Sir,

I think there might be a problem here because since the Extended ROM is normally about 10MB in size (unless I'm mistaken) then the stuff like TOMTOM and PI might not fit alongside the rest of the files you have in Extended ROM, I personally haven't a copy of Tomtom, but will it fit in 10MB along with everything else?


To all those who already have cooked ROM, if I include SPB Softwarehouse's Pocket PC Plus, how do I input the serial number? Or is it automatically installed as registered? Or do I register AFTER everything installs? What about other programs that need activation?

[this_mike]

Hi, Yeah there is indeed a problem there! What I've decided to do is to put all my big CABs in a folder on the storage card and reference it from the config.txt file in the extended_rom, e.g.:


CAB: \Storage Card\mystuff\Rebuild\MyRebuildFiles.CAB


This way, I get around the storage limit and can change the hard reset behaviour easily enough without editing the extRom again.

There is still a problem with not being able to specify where the installed app goes... Hrm. I suppose if you make your own CABs, you could specify the install path for the cab as the SD card, not sure if that would affect the path for the actual app though.

As I type, config.txt has installed the CABs from the storage card! Cool. Anyone know about specifying the install path for the apps themselves?

[Tron_Of_Borg]

Hi, Yeah there is indeed a problem there! What I've decided to do is to put all my big CABs in a folder on the storage card and reference it from the config.txt file in the extended_rom, e.g.:


CAB: \Storage Card\mystuff\Rebuild\MyRebuildFiles.CAB


There is still a problem with not being able to specify where the installed app goes... Hrm. I suppose if you make your own CABs, you could specify the install path for the cab as the SD card, not sure if that would affect the path for the actual app though.

As I type, config.txt has installed the CABs from the storage card! Cool. Anyone know about specifying the install path for the apps themselves?

I am thinking that I will (try to) solve this problem with Sprite.
1. Full backup to SD
2. Cook ROM w/ Sprite
3. Hard reset.
4. Installs Sprite
5. Perhaps some logic in start menu to test for the existance of a file that would not exist after a hard reset. Absence of the file would start Sprite's restore process.

This would/should 100% restore everything everywhere after a hardreset regardless of location of installation (provided it was backed up).

[Conchas]

Can someone explain the porpuse of 'unlock_policies.cab' ran before 'Uni_ExtRom_unlocker.cab'?

Is it to disable warning messages like "...unknow publisher", which prevent cabs from being installed?

If so, what is it 'Default_Signed_DisableSecurity.cab' for, to be run at config.txtx beginning?

Sorry but just a 'to do' list, doesn't fullfill my curiosity :-)

[eagle 1]

Excellent post with good instructions. Wish you would have made it last year. I had to read and re-read several threads to understand how to do this to my PDA2K last year.

Again great instructions...

For those asking questions about installing large cabs or cabs with prompts, you have to remember that the Extended_rom has a small and specific size. You also can not install cabs that ask questions or have prompts during the install.

For those with the jasjar, copy the autorun and config.txt from one of the posts above, it gives you more flexibility with installing things via the extrom. WIth that set up you can copy your favorite ring tones or other files to the device on hard reset. You can also run cab files that alter the registry, Search the forum for the post with all the reg tweaks and you can also install some of these via the extrom.

Another favorite, is to add cab file with all your personal settings like owner, etc.

Don't forget to read the wiki regarding creating or cooking your own Extended_rom. it is very informative

thanks Again for the instructions and great post!

[JasperJanssen]

Good guide, and thanks for posting the required files actually in the thread, where they don't go away.

Now, I still have one or two questions: Is there, somewhere, a "reenable security.cab"? I mean, it's useful to have it disabled during the extrom boot process, but afterwards, it doesn't really do any harm (At least not as far as installing apps goes -- I think I read something in regards Oz_VGA operation though), and I think I'd like to have it on.

Second: I'd really like to be able to install things to the storage card, if possible. I suppose you'd need a new autorun.exe that has that functionality built in, though. Don't suppose anyone knows of one of those, do they?

And third: I'd love to have the ability to make my own cabs to insert in here with regtweaks and configfiles, so that (at least for the apps where I can figure out where they keep their settings) I don't have to re-setup with all the custom options either.

In re: tomtom, the app itself is only 3-4 megs, so as long as you don't overload on apps, there's more than enough room for it in the 10 megs. Provider extroms tend to be 1-2 megs, so there's a *lot* of free space there. Well, a large percentage of the 10 meg, anyway.

Hmm, I thought to open up autorun.exe with a hex editor. The commands that appear to be present:
HIDE
LOCK
CPY2
CPY1
RST
EXEC
SHOW
CAB

Wonder what SHOW does. Presumably it shows a file on screen. I don't see anything there that'd allow you to move a file, say from Programs to the Start Menu. You could CPY it but then you'd have both copies. A CAB can presumably do that sort of thing though?

[JasperJanssen]

Good guide, and thanks for posting the required files actually in the thread, where they don't go away.

Now, I still have one or two questions: Is there, somewhere, a "reenable security.cab"? I mean, it's useful to have it disabled during the extrom boot process, but afterwards, it doesn't really do any harm, and I think I'd like to have it on.

Well, for those who care: this file reverses Disablesecurity.cab. It is not itself signed so it'll only run in the ExtRom if security is, in fact, disabled, but I think that's not so much a problem.

[Tommy2005]

I'm using QTEK 1.30.77 ROM and followed rom unlock. Everything is ok except extended_rom does not visible (still access in total commander). I have tried to change registry:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\AutoLoad\ TRUEFFS_DOC1]
"Bootphase"=dword:00000002
"Order"=dword:00000001
"LoadFlags"=dword:00000001
"DriverPath"="Drivers\\BuiltIn\\TrueFFS_G31"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\StorageManager\Profiles\ TRUEFFS_DOC1]
"MountHidden"=dword:00000000
"Folder"="Extended_ROM"
"PartitionDriver"=""
"Name"=""
"DefaultFileSystem"="FATFS"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemStora geManagerAutoLoadTRUEFFS_DOC1]
"Bootphase"=dword:00000002
"Order"=dword:00000001
"LoadFlags"=dword:00000001
"DriverPath"=" DriversBuiltInTrueFFS_G31"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemStora geManagerProfilesTRUEFFS_DOC1]
"MountHidden"=dword:00000000
"Folder"="ExtROM"
"PartitionDriver"=""
"Name"=""
"DefaultFileSystem"="FATFS"

If you can't see ExtROM after making the above changes and soft resetting then try these;

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemStora geManagerAutoLoadTRUEFFS_DOC1]
"Bootphase"=dword:00000002
"Order"=dword:00000001
"LoadFlags"=dword:00000001
"DriverPath"=" Drivers/BuiltIn/TrueFFS1"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemStora geManagerProfilesTRUEFFS_DOC1]
"MountHidden"=dword:00000000
"Folder"="Extended_ROM"
"PartitionDriver"=""
"Name"=""
"DefaultFileSystem"="FATFS"


BUT STILL THE SAME.

Does anyone can help?

[Tommy2005]

OHHHH!

I did with

"DriverPath"="Drivers\BuiltIn\TrueFF1"

and everything is fine now.

[akcarash]

Hi
I have lost my extended rom files.
If anyone by any chance can give me these files I will appreciate...

1. Default_Imate_PPC_JJ_SA_V5.5.03.cab
2. Default_PP_CDL_ME_All_Setting_UNI_130171.cab
3. Default_Signed_SSD_Shortcut_WWE.sa.cab

As you can see, my exec is a I-mate JASJAR. I was trying to reflash a new rom and I lost my extended rom during the process...
Thanks in advance